Certain 3-oxo-2-aryl-5,6-dihydro-4(H)-pyrrolo-(1,2-C)(1,2,3)triazolium compounds

ABSTRACT

A process for inhibiting plant growth comprising contacting a plant or its growth area with an effective amount of certain para-halophenyl substituted triazolines. A series of novel mesoionic para-halophenyl substituted triazolines. A novel process for preparing 3-phenyl-4-oxo-1,2,3-triazoline by contacting benzenediazoniumchloride and an α-amino carboxylic acid and cyclodehydrating the triazene produced using acetic anhydride and pyridine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 395,713 filed Sept. 10, 1973 which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 170,996 filed Aug. 11, 1971 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of control of plant growth. In particular it relates to methods and compounds for killing weeds and a novel process for preparing such compounds.

The term weed is used in the present disclosure in its broadest sense, that is, a plant which persists in growing where it is not wanted. This use of the term is broad enough to include plants such as poison ivy or other plants plainly harmful to man and also otherwise desirable plants such as honeysuckle or lawn grasses growing in such places as driveways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objects of this invention are threefold. One object is to provide a process for inhibiting plant growth which comprises contacting a plant or its growth area with an effective amount of:

4-oxo-1-substituted-3-(4-halophenyl)-1,2,3-triazole wherein such substituent is alkyl of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms;

3-oxo-2-(4-halophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazolo[1,5a]-pyridine;

3-oxo-2-(4-halophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4(H)-pyrrolo-[1,2-c]-v-triazole;

Or 3-oxo-2-(4-halophenyl)-4,6-dihydrothiazolo[3,4-c]-v-triazole.

The second object of this invention is to provide novel 4-halophenyl herbicides of the formulae: ##SPC1##

Wherein: R is hydrogen, halogen, methyl or nitro; R₁ is halogen; R₂ is hydrogen, halogen, or nitro; R₃ and R₄ are each hydrogen or halogen; and R₅ is alkyl of from 2 to 5 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms. By halogen is meant chlorine, fluorine, bromine, or iodine.

The preferred novel compounds of this invention are:

3-oxo-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazole (1,5-a) pyridine;

3-oxo-2-(2,4-dibromophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazolo (1,5-a) pyridine;

3-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazolo(1,5-a)pyridine;

3-oxo-2-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazolo(1,5-a)pyridine;

3-oxo-2-(2-chloro-4-bromophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-v-triazolo(1,5-a)pyridine.

The third object of the present invention is to provide a novel process for preparing 3-phenyl-4-oxo-1,2,3-triazoles comprising contacting a benzenediazonium chloride with an α-amino carboxylic acid in at least equimolar proportions and in an aqueous solution and subsequently cyclodehydrating the resulting 1-carboxymethyl- 3-phenyl-triazene so produced by treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine in an inert solvent.

The compounds thus defined and thus prepared are effective as herbicides in both pre- and post-emergence applications. They are suitable for selective killing or specific groups of unwanted plants, and also for the total destruction of all plants in an area.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compounds of this invention are prepared by a novel process. Previously, similar mesoionic triazole compounds were prepared by cyclodehydration procedures involving the condensation of benzenediazonium chloride with an amino acid ester (Potts and Husain, J. Org. Chem. 35:3451, 1970).

We have now found that greater yields of the desired compounds are obtained if this condensation is carried out using the amino acid rather than the amino acid ester.

An example of such a reaction is shown in the scheme below: ##SPC2##

All substituents are as previously defined.

In this case a para-halogen substituted aniline (V) is reacted with nitrous acid in at least equimolar proportions to form the benzenediazoniumchloride (VI). Compound VI is then reacted with an α-amino carboxylic acid in at least equimolar proportions and in an aqueous medium to form VII. The reaction up to this point is preferably carried out in the cold, at about 0°C.

Compound VII is then dehydrated to form the desired compound I by suspending VII in ether or other inert solvents and then adding acetic anhydride followed by pyridine. This mixture is allowed to stand overnight or for a few days at room temperature. The crystalline product I may then be filtered and washed with ether, if desired.

The choice of anilines for the use in the above reaction is governed by the product desired so long as the para-halogen atom is preserved and the other substituents follow the definitions previously set forth.

The choice of amino acids useful in the above reaction is also very broad. If compounds of type I are desired, the amino acid used will be of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R₅ is alkyl of 2-5 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 5 to 6 carbon atoms as previously stated.

If compounds of formula II are desired, pipecolinic acid is used, for compounds of type III proline is used, and for type IV compounds 4-thiazolidinecarboxylic acid is used.

This novel process is generally applicable to the preparation of any 3-phenyl-4-oxo-1,2,3-triazoline and is effected by treating the corresponding benzenediazoniumchloride with the appropriate α-amino carboxylic acid in at least equimolar proportions and in an aqueous solution, and cyclodehydrating the resulting 1-carboxymethyl-3-phenyl-triazene by treatment with acetic anhydride and pyridine in an inert solvent, preferably ether.

The 4-halophenyl herbicides of the present invention may include a variety of substituents on the halophenyl ring. This includes 4-chloro, -bromo, -fluoro or -iodophenyl groups having, for example, nitro, methyl, halogen, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano, methylthio, and the like in the 2-, 5-and/or 6-positions. Ordinarily we prefer phenyl having no more than 3 substituents in the interest of ease of preparation and cost. Preferred 4-halophenyl substituents are those defined above in formulae I, II, III and IV.

The compounds of this invention may be used as suspensions, solutions, or dusts. The form of application depends upon the purpose for which the product is designed, but, in any case it should ensure a fine distribution of the active ingredient.

For the preparation of solutions to be sprayed directly on the plants, mineral oils such as diesel oil or kerosene, coal-tar oils, and other oils of animal or plant origin are suitable.

Aqueous formulations are preferred and may be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes, or wettable powders by adding water.

Dusts may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active compound with a suitable solid carrier.

The compounds of this invention may also be combined with known herbicidal agents if desired.

In the greenhouse and field testing of the compounds of this invention which is reported in the examples to follow, the compounds were prepared as aqueous suspensions and then applied both to soil in which seeds of crop plants and weeds had been planted and also to young plants. Results are given numerical values of from "0" for no effect to "10" for all plants killed. The dosages used varying from 0.5 to 10 lbs. per acre are reported in the following examples for each compound tested.

The compounds of this invention are preferably to be used in such a way that a dose of from about 1-10 lbs. per acre of the active ingredient will be applied. Larger or smaller doses may of course be employed, but no especial benefit will be gained by such use.

The following examples are illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE I

In a 12 l., 3 necked round bottom flask are added 162 g. (1 mole) of 2,4-dichloroaniline, 500 ml. concentrated HCl, and 2000 ml. H₂ O. The aniline was dissolved by the aid of heating on a steam bath. The solution was cooled to about 0°C., and 76 g. (1.1 mole) of sodium nitrite dissolved in 200 ml. of H₂ O, were added to it. The solution was stirred for 1/2 hour and then a saturated solution of urea was added until a negative test with starch paper was obtained. This solution was then slowly added (over a period of about 2 hours) to a cooled solution of pipecolinic acid (129 g. - 1.0 mole) and triethylamine (416 ml. - 3 mole) in 15 l. of water. The resulting mixture was stirred for 1/2 hour, after which the precipitated solid was filtered and washed with water. The case was taken up in methylene chloride (1.5 l.) and the filtrate was extracted twice the methylene chloride (1 l.). The combined methylene chloride solutions were dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate and then evaporated in vacuo to afford 159 g. of an oil.

The oil was dissolved in 2 l. of ether. To this was added 200 ml. of acetic anhydride followed by 100 ml. of pyridine. The reaction mixture was allowed to stand at room temperature for 24 hours. The crystalline product was then filtered and washed with ether to yield 85 g. of a product with a melting point of 138°-139°C. The mother liquor was evaporated in vacuo to dryness. Upon addition of ether, 21 g. of the above product were obtained. A third crop of 15.5 g. of this product was also obtained upon concentration of the mother liquor. A total of 121.5 g. of anhydro-3-oxo-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydropyrido-[1,2-C]-v-triazolinium hydroxide with a melting point of 138°-139°C. was produced.

The above compound in an aqueous suspension was tested in the field in a standard pre-emergence test against Jimson weed at 10 lb./acre as previously described, and was found to have a rating of "9"¹ in this test.

EXAMPLES II-LXIV

In the Examples to follow, the compounds were prepared and tested as in Example I using the appropriately substituted aniline and the appropriate α-amino carboxylic acid. ##SPC3##

                                    Effect on                                                     Melting Point    Jimson Weed.sup.1                              Example No.                                                                            Substitution                                                                          °C.                                                                              Pounds/Acre                                                                            Pre.sup.2                                                                          Post.sup.3                                 __________________________________________________________________________     2       R = F  125-126   5       9  10                                                 R.sub.1 = F                                                                    R.sub.2 = H                                                            3       R = Cl 183-184   2      10  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 5-Cl                                                         4       R = Cl 240-242   2       9  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 6-Cl                                                         5       R = NO.sub.2                                                                          210-211   5       3   9                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                             .sup.1 Standard greenhouse herbicide tests were performed. Values of from      0 (no injury) to 10 (all plants killed).                                       .sup.2 Soil treated before emergence of seedling.                              .sup.3 Plants treated after emergence from soil.                         

                                    Effect on                                                     Melting Point    Jimson Weed                                    Example No.                                                                            Substitution                                                                          °C.                                                                              Pounds/Acre                                                                            Pre Post                                       __________________________________________________________________________      6      R = Br 95-97     5       9  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                             7      R = H  174-176  10      10   9                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                             8      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          151-152   5       9   7                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                             9      R = Cl 166-168   2       9   3                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            10      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          155-157  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            11      R = Cl 213-214  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 6-NO.sub.2                                                   12      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          166-167  10      10   7                                                 R.sub.1 = I                                                                    R.sub.2 =  H                                                           13      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          171-172   5       3  10                                                 R.sub.1 = F                                                                    R.sub.2 = H                                                            __________________________________________________________________________      ##SPC4##

                                    Effect on                                                     Melting Point    Jimson Weed                                    Example No.                                                                            Substitution                                                                          °C.                                                                              Pounds/Acre                                                                            Pre Post                                       __________________________________________________________________________     14      R = Br 172-176  10      10                                                     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            15      R = F  125       5       8                                                     R.sub.1 = F                                                                    R.sub.2 = H                                                            16      R = NO.sub.2                                                                          204-205   5       3   9                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            17      R = Cl 135-136   5       7                                                     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 5-Cl                                                         18      R = Cl 240-241  10      10                                                     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 6-Cl                                                         19      R = Cl 188-190  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            20      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          178-180  10        5  7                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            21      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          198-201  10       9  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            22      R = Cl 166-167   5          10                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = H                                                            23      R = Cl 189-193  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.2 = 6-NO.sub.2                                                   24      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          200-201  10       2  10                                                 R.sub.1 = I                                                                    R.sub.2 = H                                                            25      R = CH.sub.3                                                                          199-201   5       5  10                                                 R.sub.1 = Br                                                                   R.sub.2 = 6-CH.sub.3                                                   __________________________________________________________________________      ##SPC5##

                                    Effect On                                                     Melting Point    Jimson Weed                                    Example No.                                                                           Substitution                                                                           °C.                                                                              Pounds/Acre                                                                            Pre Post                                       __________________________________________________________________________     26     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           113-116  5       9   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = n-propyl                                                      27     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           113-114  5       10                                                    R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             28     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           120-125                                                                R.sub.3 = Br                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             29     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           195-197  5       10  10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = t-butyl                                                       30     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           151-154  5       9   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 =  5-Cl                                                                R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      31     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           171-172  5       10  10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = t-butyl                                                       32     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           210-211  5       10   8                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 6-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      33     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           138-139  5       5   10                                                R.sub.3 = CH.sub.3                                                             R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      34     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           174-175  5       0   10                                                R.sub.3 = NO.sub.2                                                             R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      35     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           155-156  5       2   10                                                R.sub.3 = NO.sub.2                                                             R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = t-butyl                                                       36     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           148-150  5       8   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = s-butyl                                                       37     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           149-151  5       8    9                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = s-butyl                                                       38     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           194-196  5       6   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-butyl                                                       39     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           190-192  5       5   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-butyl                                                       40     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           113-115  5       0   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = n-pentyl                                                      41     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           172-174  5       0    8                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-butyl                                                       42     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           163-165  5       2    9                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-pentyl                                                      43     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           205-206  5       4   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = cyclohexyl                                                    44     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           160-162  5       4   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = s-butyl                                                       45     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           151-152  5       2   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = i-butyl                                                       46     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           142-143  5       5    9                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-pentyl                                                      47     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           296-297  5       6   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = cyclohexyl                                                    48     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           142-144  5       5   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-pentyl                                                      49     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           185-186  5       8   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = cyclopentyl                                                   50     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           163-165  5       5   10                                                R.sub.3 = CH.sub.3                                                             R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = cyclopentyl                                                   51     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           113-116  5       9   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = n-propyl                                                      52     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           120-125  10      9                                                     R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             53     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           126-128  10      10                                                    R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                             54     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           173-174  10      9    9                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = n-butyl                                                       55     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           93-94    5       1    7                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = n-butyl                                                       56     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           144-147  5       5    5                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 6-Cl                                                                 R.sub.5 = n-butyl                                                       57     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           175-177  5       3    8                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = n-butyl                                                       58     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           156-158  2       8   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      59     R.sub.1 = Br                                                                           160-162  5       9   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = i-propyl                                                      60     R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                           180-182   0.5    1   10                                                R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                                    R.sub.5 = t-butyl                                                       __________________________________________________________________________      ##SPC6##

                                    Effect on                                      Example No.                                                                            Substitution                                                                          Melting Point                                                                           Pounds/Acre                                                                            Jimson Weed                                                   °C.       Pre Post                                       __________________________________________________________________________     61      R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                          160.5-162                                                                               10      10  10                                                 R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = H                                                            62      R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                          203-204  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 6-Cl                                                         63      R.sub.1 = F                                                                           168-170  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.3 = F                                                                    R.sub.4 = H                                                            64      R.sub.1 = Cl                                                                          182-184  10      10  10                                                 R.sub.3 = Cl                                                                   R.sub.4 = 5-Cl                                                         __________________________________________________________________________

EXAMPLES 65-69

Standard herbicide field tests were performed as before using some of the foregoing compounds but with different plants. In the examples to follow the "compound number" refers to earlier example numbers. The following abbreviations are used: SOYB = soybean, MNGY = wild morningglory, PIGW = pigweed, BNGS = barnyardgrass, and YNSG = yellow nutsedge. The pre- and post-emergence tests were performed as previously described and the rating system is the same as that used in the greenhouse tests.

    __________________________________________________________________________     Example                                                                             Compound                                                                            lbs/                                                                               SOYB    CORN   MNGY   PIGW   BNGS    YNSG                        No.  No.  acre                                                                               Pre Post                                                                               Pre                                                                               Post                                                                               Pre Post                                                                              Pre Post                                                                              Pre Post                                                                               Pre                                                                               Post                     __________________________________________________________________________     65   22   8   2   6   2  2   3    7 0   10 5   4   0  1                        66   1    8   4   9   3  4   6    9 9   10 10  8   5  3                        67   3    8   2    ND 2   ND 3   ND 10  ND 3    ND 3   ND                      68   2    5   0   0   0  0   0   10 0    9 0   0   0  0                        69   4    10   ND  ND 5  0   10  10 10   9 9   8   5  3                        __________________________________________________________________________      *not done                                                                 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula ##SPC7##wherein R is hydrogen, halogen, methyl, or nitro; R₁ is halogen; and R₂ is hydrogen, halogen, or nitro.
 2. 3-oxo-2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-5,6-dihydro-4(H)-pyrrolo-[1,2-C]-v-triazole. 